During the event, traffic inspectors of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee and specialists from the HIV Infection and Parenteral Viral Hepatitis Prevention Department of the Vitebsk Regional Centre for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health distributed retroreflective elements, HIV self-testing kits, and informational materials on HIV infection prevention to road users.
– In anticipation of the HIV Prevention Day, observed on December 1, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Republican Centre for Hygiene and Epidemiology are holding such events in all regional centres and the city of Molodechno, – explained Valentina Ananyeva, Head of the HIV Infection and Parenteral Viral Hepatitis Prevention Department of the Regional Centre for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health. – The main goal is to inform the public, motivate them towards safer behaviour, encourage knowledge of their HIV status, and, naturally, promote a healthy lifestyle.
... Traffic police officers of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Police Major Yulia Kaminskaya, Senior Police Lieutenant Nikita Semenkov, and Senior Police Lieutenant Maria Fedosova, selectively stop road users. They invite them to participate in the event and answer specialists' questions. It turns out that some drivers are mistaken in believing that young people are more susceptible to HIV infection. Medical statistics indicate that this disease is more frequently registered in people aged 30-49. Many of those surveyed are well-informed about precautionary measures and transmission routes of the infection. Participants are presented with souvenirs, HIV self-testing kits, informational materials, and reflectors.
Testing with the provided kit (which, incidentally, can also be purchased at a pharmacy), explains Valentina Ananyeva, provides an approximate result to assess one's risks of infection if something is concerning. Subsequently, in case of a positive result, further examination by specialists is recommended. A definitive diagnosis can only be made through a blood test.
Regarding the HIV situation, a certain stabilisation of the process can be observed, believes the specialist.
The situation in our region is one of the most favourable. From 1990 to November 1, 2025, 2130 cases of HIV infection have been registered in the Vitebsk region; 1533 people are living with HIV. Over 10 months of the current year, 78 new cases of HIV infection have been detected. All age groups of the population are involved in the epidemic process, however, the main proportion of citizens newly diagnosed with HIV infection in 2025 are people aged 30-59 years (79.4%). Throughout the observation period, the main route of transmission has been sexual contact – 84%. Over 10 months of 2025, sexual transmission occurred in 89.7% of cases.
– The motto of the HIV Prevention Day this year, "Overcoming difficulties, changing strategy," calls for maintaining the achievements of previous years in combating the spread of this disease, – says Valentina Ananyeva. – Our task is to detect HIV infection at the earliest stage. In this case, strict adherence to the prescribed treatment, following the regimen proposed by the doctor, and dispensary observation lead to a decrease in viral load to an undetectable level. In addition to improving the patient's quality of life, prevention is an important aspect. There is no complete cure, but the amount of virus is reduced to a level where the person is not a source of infection.
Treatment and testing for HIV are accessible and free. However, the only issue that remains is the formation of adherence to timely treatment, which will lead to the possibility of living a normal life with this formidable infection, like other chronic diseases, until old age.